PIAA Girls Basketball Preview: Bonner-Prendie ready for its debut on state stage

Bonner-Prendergast practiced all week on its zone defense, which might as well be a lesson in foreign affairs.

The Pandas aren't the type of team that would normally do such a thing on defense, but combating the size and strength of their PIAA Class AAA tournament first-round opponent, Bethlehem Catholic, is coach Tom Stewart's top priority.

The Pandas play at William Allen High in Allentown today at 4:30 p.m.

"We worked on everything they've done, from watching them in-person and on film," coach Tom Stewart said. "It's all zone, so for the last three or four days, that's all we've been practicing. And we haven't done that very often this year."

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The Pandas spent the last eight days preparing for the first state playoff basketball game in school history. But they've had to keep in game shape, so to help them ready for the challenge, the Pandas scrimmaged against the Bonner boys junior varsity team. Stewart also invited five of his former players who are now with Immaculata College to practice.

But it's difficult to replicate the atmosphere of a postseason game in an empty gym. The Pandas haven't been truly tested since their 48-43 Catholic League semifinal round lost to Archbishop Ryan, as they followed up that setback with a dominant win over Freire Charter to claim third place in District 12.

Prendie has played only three games since Feb. 8.

"Believe me, we've kept busy," Stewart said.

Bethlehem Catholic (26-2) captured its first District 11 title since 1995 with a 50-44 defeat of Southern Lehigh. Danielle Griffin, a reserve player, made the game-winning basket with 40 seconds left in regulation. So that right there says something about the Golden Hawks -- they have depth.

Most of all, they're big.

"They start three girls who are at least 6-foot," Stewart said. "They have size (and) we don't have much size at all. They have one (player) who handles the ball real well and one who can score (inside the paint) and do a lot of damage. Most of their points will come down inside with a lot of putbacks. That's what we have to stop."

Outside of senior forward Brooke Lachette, Stewart uses a four-guard rotation. And it starts with sophomore sensation Alyssa Monaghan, the 2012-13 Catholic League Player of the Year, and one of the best scorers in the county. Monaghan and her junior sister, Sarah, are the Pandas' top shooting threats.

"We have to shoot the ball well, and that starts with Alyssa having a big game," Stewart said. "I'm sure we might see a box-and-one on her, but she's hard to defend because she's so fast and she can shoot off the dribble. Her sister Sarah has to have a big game. Mollie Reynolds, our freshman, isn't at all nervous. She's ready, the kids are ready.

"We feel we can win this game. We feel we have enough weapons where if one or two girls aren't hitting their shots, others can step up.

"At this point, we're happy we're in it and have the chance to play another game."